Louisville makes Lake Mary TE Taylor Marini his first offer

Taylor Marini was warming up for a weightlifting meet when Lake Mary head football coach Scott Perry called his tight end into his office.

Although Marini had been talking to various college coaches, he was unsure of when he’d get his first scholarship offer.

So Marini was in disbelief when Perry told him Wednesday that Louisville, a BCS program, was his first college offer.

“I worked really hard and always tried to stay optimistic and hope for the best,” Marini said. “It was a shock, but I believe good things happen to those who work hard … It was really exciting for me and it was a great moment. I was really happy.”

Marini’s excitement level is warranted. Although he has all the physical attributes a college coach could want — 6-foot-4, 230-pounds with legitimate 4.7 speed — Marini entered the spring combine circuit as a bit of an unknown.

He spent most of his junior season doing dirty work as a blocking tight end for the Rams, something he was more than happy to do. Marini had just two catches for 45 yards, but made them count, logging a touchdown reception.

It was his willingness to block along with his optimal athleticism that ultimately attracted Louisville to Marini.

“They said they liked how I put my hand in the dirt got the job done blocking,” Marini said. “They also liked the receiving [aspect] as well.”

Marini is also an accomplished long snapper, which should increase his exposure as the recruiting process moves forward.

“I view it as icing on the cake. The more you can do, the more of an asset you are for the school,” Marini said. “Colleges are taking long snappers that can snap at .8 seconds. That’s from the snap to when it reaches the punter’s hand. Right now, I have an average time of .6.”

The Louisville offer has already opened doors for Marini. The day after the Cardinals offered him, FSU, UCF and FIU all called Marini. Basically, Florida programs took note of an out-of-state school going after a guy they didn’t have on their radar.

“It’s always special,” Marini said of getting attention from the local schools.

UCF invited Marini to come watch them during spring practice later this month. The Knights have a special tie to Marini. His father, Tony Marini, played basketball for UCF in the 1980s and his uncle, John Marini, worked for UCF as a sports information director and assistant athletic director from 1988-2006.

“It’s just two more people that know what it’s like to be an athlete,” Marini said of his family ties to UCF.

Look for Marini’s stock to keep going up. The word is now out about the agile tight end and schools will undoubtedly be interested in his unique blend of speed, size and physicality.

He has already participated in two combines this spring and will attend several more before turning his focus on spring practice and college visits.

“Depending on what schools show more interest, we’ll decide what junior days we’re going to go to,” Marini said. “It’s just exciting.”